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San Francisco Police To Carry Video Cameras

Police in San Francisco will start using video cameras to record arrests — a step officials hope will help quell police misconduct.

At the direction of police chief Greg Suhr, the city police department will test several cameras during arrests that require search warrants or consent, including drug busts. The cameras will likely be a small, hands-free part of the officers' uniforms.

The San Francisco Examiner first broke the news, saying that local criminal defense attorneys have increasingly been using such footage to show police abuse of power.

Of course, the department will be keeping a close eye on costs. Whatever devices police end up using will have to be inexpensive to purchase, use and maintain.

Still, any measure that could provide accurate and indisputable proof of police activities and behavior can help minimize corruption. San Francisco has recently seen several cases where officers were videotaped allegedly stealing items from suspects. With the promise of constant surveillance, officers will be forced to play by the book.

And of course, if this tech works well (and cost efficiently) in San Francisco, we expect to see it implemented in other cities in the future. Already, police departments in Austin, Texas; Whitsunday, Australia; and San Jose, California have tested similar devices.

What do you think of the cops-with-cams trend? Is this something you think would help or hurt your own community?

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